---
title: "Online Moisture Detection in Fluid-bed Granulator: Microwave Technology as a Cost-Effective Alternative to NIR"
date: 2025-08-07T06:56:39Z
modified: 2025-08-07T06:56:41Z
permalink: "https://www.chinacanaan.com/blog/online-moisture-detection-in-fluid-bed-granulator-microwave-technology-as-a-cost-effective-alternative-to-nir/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 4445
categories:
  - Blog
featured_image: "https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/企业微信截图_17545312183495-1.png"
timestamp: 2025-08-07T06:56:41Z
tags:
  - Blog
---

**Moisture content is a critical parameter in the fluid-bed drying process.**

Traditionally, drying endpoint determination in the industry has relied heavily on **drying time, product temperature, exhaust air temperature, or operator experience**. Once preset parameters are reached, operators manually take samples for offline testing using rapid moisture analyzers. This process takes at least 10 minutes to yield results. Only after confirming the material’s moisture content is within the acceptable range can it proceed to the next step. Deviation—**whether too high or too low—can adversely impact subsequent processes**.

![](https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/580ceef2-cc0b-48de-8e67-cb80d8e61c86-1024x614.png)

**Canaan FZ Fluid-bed Granulator**With the advancement of Process Analytical Technology (PAT), the pharmaceutical industry is actively exploring **more efficient solutions for real-time moisture monitoring**.

![](https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/50783292-8c0d-431c-b5f5-fa67f492d4ef.gif)

**Near-Infrared (NIR) moisture analysis was among the first technologies to gain recognition for online applications.**

Canaan Technology began applying NIR systems to its fluid bed equipment **in 2019**. With a measurement accuracy of less than **±0.5% absolute error**, NIR meets the stringent requirements for process release. However, the high cost of NIR devices—typically RMB 400,000–600,000 per unit (approx. USD 55,000–82,000)—has become a major barrier to wider adoption.

To address this challenge, Canaan has identified a more economical alternative through continuous testing and on-site application development: **Microwave-based online moisture detection**. This technology offers comparable accuracy at approximately **half the cost of NIR systems**, making it a more accessible solution for many manufacturers.

![](https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d5e5cd0c-5e1c-4fcc-b853-12cb702570e6.png)

_On-site installation image_

Canaan evaluated multiple leading microwave moisture analyzers on the market and found that most underperformed in fluid bed applications. The core issue lies in the dynamic nature of fluidized materials—constantly changing in density and quantity—conditions that most commercial algorithms were not designed to handle. Even top international brands showed significant measurement deviations under these challenging process dynamics.

Canaan discovered that **resonance-based microwave moisture analyzers** showed distinct advantages. Their multi-resonant frequency design is particularly well-suited for measuring fluidized materials, offering superior stability and resistance to interference. By integrating Canaan’s proprietary algorithm—custom-built for fluid bed applications and incorporating temperature compensation—these systems now deliver accuracy and stability on par with NIR technology, achieving:

**Maximum absolute error < ±0.5%**

**Average absolute error < ±0.3%**



For instance, in a recent customer project in Anhui Province, China, over 100 production batches were tested using this technology. The results consistently validated the system’s performance, leading to successful project acceptance (see data below).

![](https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/企业微信截图_17545312183495-1.png)

_Online moisture detection data from a Fluid-bed Granulator application_

Naturally, microwave-based systems are primarily focused on **moisture detection only**. In comparison, NIR technology offers multi-parameter analysis capabilities, such as blend uniformity, active ingredient content, and particle size distribution.

![](https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/50783292-8c0d-431c-b5f5-fa67f492d4ef.gif)

As a process equipment supplier with extensive PAT experience in solid dosage manufacturing, **Canaan Technology is committed to providing tailored technical recommendations and system configurations based on each customer’s specific process and application requirements—delivering maximum return on investment.**

![](https://www.chinacanaan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/蓝色小人-1024x481.gif)

> [FZ Series – Fluid-bed](https://www.chinacanaan.com/products/fz-series-fluid-bed/)